‘Star Games’ producer apologises to UAE community and Emirati child Maryam over bullying incident

Rashid Al Nuaimi, Staff Reporter

The ITP Group, the producer of the 'Star Games' programme on Mazaj TV, has issued an apology to the UAE community and the Emirati child Maryam in response to the bullying of the latter.

Furthermore, the company has confirmed that it is undertaking a comprehensive review of all aspects of its content in order to ensure compliance with the country's media standards.

In a statement, the group expressed regret for the dissemination of media material containing inappropriate expressions that were perceived to be disrespectful to the UAE's cultural and national identity. They emphasised that their media group is an integral part of the UAE's social fabric and has achieved success in recent years due to the UAE's continued growth and development.

The group conveyed their apologies to Maryam and her family and extended their wishes for her speedy recovery. It was emphasised that the psychological safety of the participants will remain a priority and that they are closely monitoring her health condition in collaboration with her family. Additionally, they asserted that any form of bullying is wholly unacceptable within their team and is contrary to the values espoused by their corporate culture. Moreover, the intention is to cultivate a supportive environment where young professionals can flourish, expressing themselves in a manner that is respectful and conducive to positive growth.

The group has also stated that it views this incident as a matter of grave concern and is engaged in a comprehensive review of its content to guarantee compliance with the standards and regulations governing media content in the United Arab Emirates. It is also cooperating with the Emirates Media Council and the relevant authorities in the country to implement the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In The meantime, the UAE Media Council said that it had followed up on the bullying incident that a child was subjected to while filming a children's programme broadcast on one of the platforms in the UAE.

The council stressed that it would not allow the display of any content that violates the standards of media content.

The council explained via the "X" platform that it "took the initiative to communicate with the child's family to learn the details of the incident," noting that it is conducting an investigation with various concerned parties to determine the circumstances and take the necessary measures.

The council stressed that it would not allow the display of any content that violates the standards of media content stipulated in the Media Regulation Law or the laws related to child protection in the country.